Agriculture is the backbone of most developing countries, with more than 60% of the population reliant on it for their livelihood. Agricultural scientists are facing a wide spectrum of challenges such as: stagnation in crop yields, low nutrient use efficiency, declining soil organic matter, multi-nutrient deficiencies, climate change, shrinking arable land and water availability, shortage of labour besides exodus of people from farming. Traditional farming techniques have attained saturation and are neither able to increase productivity nor able to restore ecosystems damaged by existing technologies. The global requirement of food is increasing gradually. In spite of immense constraints faced, we need to attain a sustainable growth in agriculture to meet the food security challenges. To address these problems, there is a need to explore one of the frontier technologies such as ‘Nanotechnology’ to precisely detect and deliver the correct quantity of nutrients and pesticides that promote productivity while ensuring environmental safety and higher use efficiency. 

1. NANOTECHNOLOGY
AND ITS USE IN
AGRICULTURE

2. INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is the backbone of most developing countries, with more than 60% of the
population reliant on it for their livelihood. Agricultural scientists are facing a wide
spectrum of challenges such as: stagnation in crop yields, low nutrient use efficiency,
declining soil organic matter, multi-nutrient deficiencies, climate change, shrinking arable
land and water availability, shortage of labour besides exodus of people from farming.
Traditional farming techniques have attained saturation and are neither able to increase
productivity nor able to restore ecosystems damaged by existing technologies. The global
requirement of food is increasing gradually.
In spite of immense constraints faced, we need to attain a sustainable
growth in agriculture to meet the food security challenges. To address these problems,
there is a need to explore one of the frontier technologies such as ‘Nanotechnology’ to
precisely detect and deliver the correct quantity of nutrients and pesticides that promote
productivity while ensuring environmental safety and higher use efficiency.

3. WHAT IS
NANOTECHNOLOGY?
 “Nanotechnolgy is the art and science of
manipulating the matter at nanoscale”.
 Nanoscience and Nanotechnology are the study
and application of extremely small things
conducted at the nano scale, which is about 1
to 100 nanometers.
 It has recently gained attention due to its wide
applications in different fields such as in
medicine, electronics, environment, agriculture,
textile etc.

4. NANOTECHNOLOGY ORIGINS
• The concept behind this principle originated in a talk
entitled, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” by
Richard Feynman a noble laureate in physics in
1959,in which he described the possibility of synthesis
via direct manipulation of atoms.
• The term “Nanotechnology” was coined by Professor
Norio Taniguchi.

5. Two main approaches
are used in nanotechnology:
• Top-down approach -
nano-materials are
constructed by physically or
chemically from larger
entities without atomic-level
control.
• Bottom-up approach- nano
materials and devices are
built from molecular
components which assemble
themselves chemically by
principles of molecular
recognition.

6. PROPERTIES OF NANOPARTICLES
• Owing to their very small size, nanoparticles
have a very large surface area to volume ratio
when compared to bulk material.
• This feature enables nanoparticles to possess
unexpected optical, physical and chemical
properties.
• For example, surface area, cation exchange
capacity, ion adsorption increases when they
are brought to nano-size.

7. Potential applications of
nanotechnology in
agriculture
(A) Increase the productivity
using nanopesticides and nanofertilizers;
(B) Improve the quality of the soil
using nanozeolites and hydrogels;
(C) Stimulate plant growth
using nanomaterials (SiO2, TiO2, and carbon nanotubes);
(D) Provide smart monitoring
using nanosensors by wireless communication devices.

8. 1.NANOFERTILIZERS
• A nanofertilizer comprises nanoformulations of
nutrients deliverable to plants, enabling sustained
and homogeneous absorption.
• Nanofertilizers are made from conventional
fertilizers, bulk materials for fertilizers, or extracted
from different plant or plant parts by
encapsulating/coating them with nanomaterials for
controlled and slow release of nutrients.
• Nanofertilizers are encapsulated inside
nanostructures and to do so the outer shell of
nanocapsules is engineered and programmed to
open when stimulated by environmental factors or
man-induced pulses.

9. • Slow release: The capsule releases its payload slowly over a longer period
of time so as to synchronize plant assimilation and limit leaching.
• Quick-release: The capsule shell breaks upon contact with a leaf surface.
• Specific release: The nutrient release occurs through a recognition
mechanism between a receptor (molecule or functional group) bound to the
shell and a target molecule.
• Moisture release: The shell breaks down and releases nutrients in the
presence of water.
• pH release: The shell breaks up only in specific alkaline/acidic environment
(e.g., within plant tissues or inside a cell).
• Magnetic/ultrasonic pulses: The shell opens in response to a magnetic or
ultrasonic pulse emitted by a man-controlled system (precision agriculture).
Some examples of possible control mechanisms

10. Advantages of Nanofertilizers
A slow but consistent delivery of nutrients to plants increases crop growth.
Nano fertilizers are required in small amounts thus reduce the cost of field
application.
Accumulation of salt in soil can be minimized as it is required in a small
amount.
Facilitate the crop plants to fight various biotic and abiotic stresses by
providing balanced nutrition.
Increases the bioavailability of nutrients due to its miniature size, high
specific surface area, and high reactivity.

11. IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF NANOFERTILIZERS OVER
CONVENTIONAL CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS
• Nanofertilizers regulate the availability of nutrients in crops through slow/control
release mechanisms.
• They are required in small amount which reduce the cost of transportation and field
application.
• Over accumulation of salt in soil can be minimized as required in small amount.
• They can be synthesized according to the nutrient requirements of planned crops. In this
regard biosensors can be attached to a new innovative fertilizer that controls the delivery
of the nutrients according to soil nutrient status, growth period of a crop or environmental
conditions.
• The miniature size, high specific surface area and high reactivity of nanofertilzers increase
the bioavailability of nutrients.
• Providing balanced nutrition, nanofertilizers facilitate the crop plants to fight various biotic
and abiotic stresses.

12. Some commercial products of Nanofertilizers

13. 2.NANOPESTICIDES
• “Active ingredients or innert ingredients with a
particle size of 100nm or less.”
• Nanopesticide development – approaches
I. Nanopesticides : Eg. Nanosilica, Nanosilver
II.Nanoformulations : Nanoemulsions,
Nanoencapsulations, Nanogels
(Ghormade et al., 2011)

14. NANOPESTICIDES
• Nanopesticides offer a range of benefits including increased efficacy,
durability, and a reduction in the amounts of active ingredients that
need to be used.
• At nanoscale, particles have a disproportionately large surface area
relative to their overall size.
• It’s the surface area that makes the difference, because the greater
surface area ratio means more of the total volume of pesticide comes
into contact with the pests. And that in turn means being able to
reduce the amount of pesticide needed.

16. 3.NANOPARTICLES FOR THE CONTROL OF
DISEASE AND PEST INCIDENCES IN PLANTS
I)Nano silver :
Silver nanoparticles have high surface area and high fraction of
surface atoms, so have high antimicrobial effect as compared to the
bulk silver.
It is being used as foliar spray to stop fungi, moulds, rot and several
other plant diseases. Moreover, silver is an excellent plant-growth
stimulator.

17. II)Nano alumino-silicate:
• Alumino-silicate nanotubes are sprayed on plant surfaces and are easily
picked up in insect hairs. Insects actively groom and consume pesticide-
filled nanotubes.
• They are biologically more active and relatively more environmentally-safe
pesticides.
• Silica nanoparticles have shown that mesoporous silica nano particles can
deliver DNA and chemicals into plants thus, creating a powerful new tool
for targeted delivery into plant cells.

18. III)Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles:
• Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a non-toxic white pigment widely used in the
manufacture of paints, study, ink, cosmetics, ceramics, leather, etc.
and is a very strong disinfectant as compared to chlorine and ozone.
• Since TiO2 is harmless, it is approved for use in food products upto
1% of product final weight.
• TiO2 photocatalyst technique has great potential in various agricultural
applications, including plant protection since it does not form toxic and
dangerous compounds and possesses great pathogen disinfection
efficiency.

19. 4.IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SOIL
• Hydrogels, nano-clays, and nano zeolites enhance the water
holding capacity of the soil and allow a slow release of water. This,
in turn, reduces the hydric shortage, particularly during the crop
season.
• Such practices are also helpful in the reforestation of degraded
areas that have lost their soil fertility.
• Besides, organic materials like polymer and carbon nanotubes as
well as inorganic elements like nano metals and metal oxides can
be used to absorb the contaminants thereby improving the soil
remediation capacity and reducing the time and cost involved.

20. 5.Stimulation of
Plant Growth
• The carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles of silver,
zinc oxide, etc can be really helpful in remediating the
plant growth by ensuring that the nutrients are utilised
optimally by the plants.
• However, the chances of success depend on a lot of
factors like the susceptibility of plants species and
other parameters including the concentration,
composition, size and chemical properties of
nanomaterials.

21. 6. AID IN PRECISION FARMING
• The idea of precision farming focuses on
minimizing the use of pesticides yet ensuring
maximum crop productivity.
• Under this, remote sensing devices,
computers, and GPS systems can be used to
analyse the environment and identify problems
associated with crops and their growing
environment.
• The utilization of nanosensors along with GPS-
enabled smart devices will help farmers to gain
accurate information thereby assisting in
making correct decisions regarding plant
growth and soil suitability.

22. Nanobiosensors
 These are analytical devices having at least one dimension no
greater than 100 nm.
 These are structured as nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires or
nanocrystals.
NBSs are manufactured for monitoring plant fractions, soil and water
in the agro ecosystem.
 By exploiting the physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials,
NBSs represent a powerful tool with advanced and improved
features compared to existing analytical sensors and biosensors that
combine biological element recognition with chemical or physical
principles.

23. Biological information is converted by a transducer into a signal
yielded by an electronic component.
This capability allows the agronomist with an accurate and real-time
control of the needs of crops in terms of water and nutrient supply
and early symptoms of diseases.
Nano networks for monitoring plant conditions can alert
automatically suggesting a more efficient usage of crop inputs (e.g.,
fertilizers, water, pesticide, etc).
Thus, the real time and monitoring of the crop growth lead to
accurate and on-time decisions, reduced costs and waste, improved
quality of production and above all sustainable agriculture.

24. 7. AUTOMATION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM
• For smart agricultural practices, particularly in areas with water
scarcity, the automation of irrigation system plays a crucial role.
• Sensor technology has the ability to maximize the efficiency of water
usage to a great extent.
• These can estimate soil water tension in real-time while being mated
to autonomous irrigation controllers. Such features lead to a
sustainable irrigation involving evaluation of climate and crop growth
aspects, which is otherwise quite difficult to accomplish.

25. • Reduce nutrient run off: Compared to bulk form of chemical
inputs in crops, use of nano-nutrients can reduce nutrient run-off
into ground water and thus can reduce environmental pollution.
• Increase productivity: It helps to increase plant productivity and
better crop protection for meeting requirements of providing food
to growing population.
• Increase soil fertility: In the agri-food areas pertinent
applications of nanotubes, fullerenes, biosensors, controlled
delivery systems, nanofiltration, etc. proved to be as good in
resources management of agricultural field, and helps to maintain
the soils fertility.
• Sustainable agriculture: Nano-based Agri-input and food
products in India’ will pave the way for significant benefits for our
mission on Doubling Farming Income by 2022 and National
Mission on Sustainable Agriculture.
Benefits of Nanotechnology in agriculture

26. INDIA'S EFFORTS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT
The 9th Five-Year Plan (1998-2002) had for the first time promoted research in nano materials.
Nano-technology has been an important area for the government of India which had launched a National
Nano Mission in 2007.
In 2007 “Nano Mission: A Mission on Nano Science and Technology” was launched to foster, promote and
develop nanotechnology which has the potential to benefit the country.
It is an umbrella programme for capacity building and to tap some of its applied potential for nation’s
development.
Department of Science and Technology (DST) is the nodal agency for implementing the nano mission.
DST had also launched a modest programme in Nano Science and Technology called the Nano Science
and Technology Initiative (NSTI) and the Nano Mission is the successor of this programme.

27. WORK IN INDIA
• IFFCO, one of the world's largest fertilizer manufacturing cooperatives, has
manufactured products with nano-technology to improve the productivity of farms
including nano-nitrogen, nano-zinc, and nano-copper.
• IFFCO claims that Nano nitrogen, Zinc, and Copper let the farmers use a lesser
amount of fertilizers in their farms and also increase the yield of the crop.
• These three nano products will enhance the quality of soil and are environment-
friendly. And will also help farmers to obtain better yielding, reducing the use of
traditional fertilizers by up to 50 percent. This way, it will also reduce the cost of
farming.
• The cost of a 500ml bottle of Nano Nitrogen, Nano Zinc, and Nano Copper is about
Rs 240.

28. • According to ASSOCHAM India ranks 3rd in R&D in the field of
nanotechnology after China and USA.
• India is expected to contribute about 25% professionals out of
required two million professionals in Global Nanotechnology Industry.
• IIT Madras has used nanotechnology for arsenic decontamination of
water.
• A team of scientists at IIT-Kanpur have engineered nanoparticles rich
in iron and sulfur to pump up crop productivity.

29. • Nanotechnology applications are currently being researched, tested
and in some cases already applied across the entire spectrum of food
technology, from agriculture to food processing, packaging and food
supplements.
• They are with unique chemical, physical, and mechanical properties.
• The large surface area offered by the tiny nanoparticles, which have
high surface area, makes them attractive to address challenges not
met by different control methods.
• Still, there are some concerns regarding nanotechnology in
agriculture.

30. CONCERNS REGARDING NANOTECHNOLOGY IN
AGRICULTURE
• Phytotoxicity and reactivity of nanomaterials in environment.
• Possible adverse effect on exposed workers.
• Concerns of fabrication and validation of nano sensors as well as environmental and
health consequences of nanomaterial released from devices.
• Concerns of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of cellular nanomaterials on nano agri
products.
• Risk of nanoparticles toxicity is higher in plants due to their miniscule size that can
easily translocate within plant body.
• Concerns regarding high aspect ratio, stiffness and bio durability of nano cellulose.
• Insufficient economic interest, regulatory issues and public opinion in relation to
nanotechnology in agricultural sector.
• Lack of knowledge and developmental methods for risk and life-cycle assessment of
nanotechnology in agriculture.

31. Conti….
• India spends only a fraction of the amount spent by countries such as the USA,
China, Japan, etc. on nanotechnology.
• The quality of research is also to be improved significantly. Only a small
percentage of the papers from India figures in the top 1% of publications.
• Only 0.2% of the patents filed in the US patent office are from India in this field.
• There are very few students who take up this field. The target number of PhD in
nanotechnology is 10000 per year by the ministry of HRD.
• The contribution of the private sector is minimal in this domain. Even though there
is a lot of potential, the private sector is yet to show tremendous enthusiasm.

32. FUTURISTIC STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING USING
AGRICULTURAL NANOTECHNOLOGY
Controlled green synthesis of nanoparticles.
Understanding of nanoparticles produced by root endophytes and mycorrhizal fungi,
which play an important role in plant productivity and disease management.
Interaction of nanoparticles with plant system such as transport mechanism of
nanoparticles inside plant body.
Critical evaluation of the negative side effects of nanoparticles on different
environmental conditions.
Development of portable and user-friendly nanobiosensors for rapid analysis of soil,
plants, water, and pesticides.

33. POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE ARE:
Development of special institutions with expertise for the proper evaluation for
biosafety of nanoparticles.
Formation of clear guidelines following Food Safety and Standards Authority
(WHO standards) for monitoring and evaluation of nanoparticle-based systems.
Proper documentation of nano materials-based toxicity to the aquatic organisms.
More collaborative research and sharing of resources for the development of a
better research system.
For effective use of nano-based products, farmers should be educated by skilled
professionals to minimize field problems.

34. CONCLUSION:
• Conventional farming practices are becoming increasingly inadequate,
coupled with increasing demands of the terrestrial ecosystem. Adoption of
new technologies is crucial if production is to be increased to match the
demands for food, fodder and fibre.
• Nanotechnology would prove a boon for modern agriculture farming by
improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake employing nano-fertilizers, control
of pest and pathogen using nano-pesticides, etc.
• Nano-sensors are being developed that spread throughout the farming fields
for monitoring agro-climatic conditions required to increase productivity of
quality food crops and proper management of fertilizers, pesticides and
herbicides, etc. requirement.
• The applications of nanotechnology have great potential to meet out the
future agricultural challenges such as food security.
• Thus, agro-nanotechnology would be an eco-friendly, cost effective green
technology for sustainable agriculture.

35. REFRENCES:
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY AND APPLIED
SCIENCES ISSN: 2319-7692 SPECIAL ISSUE-7 PP. 196-20
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